Suction Hose For a Vacuum Cleaner

ABSTRACT

A suction hose for a vacuum cleaner includes a first hose part, a second hose part, and a jacket part. The first hose part is variable in length and includes a hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein, the coil spring being configured to automatically return the first hose part from an extended position to a shortened position. The second hose part is operably connected to the first hose part. The jacket part is configured to receive the first hose part. The jacket part has a length at least equal to a maximum extended length of the first hose part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION

This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2005/012256, filed Nov. 15, 2005, and claims benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 058 323.4, filed Dec. 2, 2004, which is incorporated by reference herein. The International Application was published in German on Jun. 8, 2006 as WO 2006/058615 A1 under PCT Article 21(2).

The present invention relates to a suction hose for vacuum cleaners, including a first hose part which is variable in length and has integrated into its hose wall a coil spring which automatically returns the first hose part from an extended position to a shortened position, the suction hose further including a second hose part which is only slightly variable in length, and further including a jacket part for receiving the first hose part.

BACKGROUND

Suction hoses having a thin hose wall into which is integrated a tension spring that allows such hoses to be pulled from a shortened position to an extended position are generally known to be used in upright-type vacuum cleaners. In the case of such vacuum cleaners, such suction hoses are offered as additional vacuum attachments to allow cleaning of objects which are located at a higher position. The suction hoses are also referred to as “flex hoses”.

British Patent Application GB 2 310 369 A describes an embodiment of a vacuum cleaner, where a suction hose is located between the handle of a suction wand and the end fitting. Said suction hose is a combination of a flex hose and a conventional suction hose that is only slightly variable in length. When in the park position, the flex hose is received in the handle in the fully contracted position. In this position, the lower portion of the flex hose is exposed.

German Patent Applications DE 198 43 973 A1 and DE 197 38 329 A1 describe hose systems which use flex hoses with integrated compression springs and which, therefore, move automatically from a park position in a jacket part (hose or tube) to an extended position.

The aforementioned systems have in common that the flex hose is at least partially exposed when in an extended position. This has the following disadvantage:

In order to obtain the desired flexibility, the hose wall of the flex hoses must be made of a very thin plastic in order that it can be pleated between the spirals of the coil spring when in a contracted position. As a result, the hose is susceptible to damage during use, especially when pulled around sharp corners.

SUMMARY

It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide a suction hose including a first hose part which is variable in length, which, in spite of being extendable, is protected from damage.

The present invention provides a suction hose for a vacuum cleaner. The suction hose includes a first hose part, a second hose part, and a jacket part. The first hose part is variable in length and includes a hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein, the coil spring being configured to automatically return the first hose part from an extended position to a shortened position. The second hose part is operably connected to the first hose part. The jacket part is configured to receive the first hose part. The jacket part has a length at least equal to a maximum extended length of the first hose part.

Advantages made possible by the present invention include that the flex hose is protected by the jacket part, even when extended to maximum length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings in a schematic way and will be described in more detail below. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a view of a suction hose designed in accordance with the present invention, shown in an extended position;

FIG. 2 is a view showing the suction hose of FIG. 1 in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 2 in the region of attachment to the vacuum cleaner;

FIG. 4 is a detail of FIG. 2 in the region of the locking means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conveniently, the length of the jacket part is about one meter. Advantageously, the length of the jacket part is equal to the sum of the lengths of the first hose part in the shortest possible position and of the second hose part. In this manner, transition joints between different diameters are prevented, at least when the flex hose is in a contracted position. Such transition joints may get caught on corners.

In another advantageous embodiment, the jacket part is at least partially in the form of a flexible jacket tube. Because of this, the jacket part remains maneuverable, even if it is about one meter or more in length.

It is advantageous if the jacket-part end that is associated with the second hose part is provided with locking means for securing the second hose part in position. This allows the first hose part to be fixed and strain-relieved in an extended position. Furthermore, the first hose part is prevented from automatically contracting.

In an advantageous embodiment, the locking means include at least one spring-loaded lever arm which is located at the end of the jacket part and has a latching hook to engage with grooves located on the second hose part.

The suction hose, which is shown in FIG. 1 in an extended position, includes a first hose part 1, a second hose part 2, and a jacket part 3. First hose part 1 is formed of a highly elastic plastic hose, such as a thin-walled PVC hose, having a coil spring integrated into its hose wall. The coil spring is under tension such that it is trying to automatically contract. Because of this, the extended hose part 1 also automatically returns to a shortened position, during which process the hose wall is pleated between the spirals of the coil spring. The maximum achievable length of the inner part is equal to the length of the hose wall in the unpleated state, including a possible elongation component. In the shortened position, the length of the inner part is about 30 cm. The length and elasticity of the hose wall are designed to allow an increase in length by a factor of about 3.

Second hose part 2 is in the form of a conventional hose which is only slightly variable in length. The hose wall of the second hose part has a helical or annular corrugation 4. The two hose parts 1 and 2 are connected to each other by suitable means (not shown). Second hose part 2 is about 70 cm in length and has attached to its free end a coupler (not shown) for the handle 5 of a suction hose 6 (see also FIG. 4).

In FIG. 2, the suction hose is shown with first hose part 1 in a retracted position. In this position, the two hose parts 1 and 2 are nearly completely enclosed by the jacket part 3, which is preferably in the form of a flexible jacket tube. Jacket part 3 has a length of about one meter, so that it holds both hose parts 1 and 2 when first hose part 1 is maximally retracted, and that, when first hose part 1 is maximally extended, jacket part 3 covers and protects at least this part 1 over the full length thereof. At the lower end, jacket part 3 is connected to the first hose part in such a way that the first hose part can freely rotate within the jacket part in the connection region. Moreover, the jacket part is there provided with a connector member 7 (see FIG. 3) for attachment to a vacuum cleaner. At the upper end, jacket part 3 merges into a tubular member 8, which carries spring-loaded levers 9 on both sides. The upper ends of these levers 9 carry latching hooks 10 which engage with the grooves of corrugation 4 of second hose part 2, thereby securing first hose part 1 in the extended position (FIG. 1). 

1-6. (canceled) 7: A suction hose for a vacuum cleaner, comprising: a first hose part, the first hose part being variable in length and including a hose wall having a coil spring integrated therein, the coil spring being configured to automatically return the first hose part from an extended position to a shortened position; a second hose part operably connected to the first hose part; and a jacket part configured to receive the first hose pail, the jacket part having a length at least equal to a maximum extended length of the first hose part. 8: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the length of the jacket part is about one meter. 9: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the length of the jacket part is equal to a sun of a minimum unextended length of the first hose part and a length of the second hose part. 10: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the length of the jacket part is equal to a sum of a minimum unextended length of the first hose part and a length of the second hose part. 11: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the jacket part includes a flexible jacket tube. 12: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the jacket part includes a flexible jacket tube. 13: The suction hose as recited in claim 9 wherein the jacket part includes a flexible jacket tube. 14: The suction hose as recited in claim 10 wherein the jacket part includes a flexible jacket tube. 15: The suction hose as recited in claim 7 wherein the jacket part includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part in position. 16: The suction hose as recited in claim 8 wherein the jacket part includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part in position. 17: The suction hose as recited in claim 9 wherein the jacket part includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part in position. 18: The suction hose as recited in claim 10 wherein the Jacket part includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part in position. 19: The suction hose as recited in claim 11 wherein the jacket part includes an end associated with the second hose part, the end including a locking device configured to secure the first hose part in position. 20: The suction hose as recited in claim 15 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 21: The suction hose as recited in claim 16 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 22: The suction hose as recited in claim 17 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 23: The suction hose as recited in claim 18 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 24: The suction hose as recited in claim 19 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 25: The suction hose as recited in claim 15 wherein the second hose part includes grooves, and wherein the locking device includes at least one spring-loaded lever disposed at the end of the jacket part, the spring-loaded lever including a latching hook configured to engage the grooves. 